By Danny Estacio   LUCENA CITY, Quezon- A mall this city lighted up the giant enchanted Christmas Tree in a ceremony at the mall’s atrium recently. Marites Ala, assistant manager of Pacific Mall Lucena said that it is an  annual tradition marks the official start of the holiday season particularly in Lucena City where bringing families and friends together in celebration of joy, unity, and festive wonder. Elvie Avenido, mall operations manager urged to be part of the magical moment as the mall illuminates the enchanting Christmas centerpiece, which symbolizes hope, love, and togetherness for Quezon province. The 2025 will proudly continue the “Share the Joy” initiative, dedicated to bringing smiles and meaningful support to underprivileged children in the community—reminding us all of the true spirit of Christmas: kindness, giving, and compassion, Avenido said. Provincial government represented by Ex-board member Romano Talaga and city officials represented by Filomena Sevilla graced the event.  

SAN PABLO CITY, Philippines — The City Tourism Office recently conducted a special sampler tour for officers of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) – San Pablo Chapter, in preparation for the 2nd PCCI San Pablo Game Fowl, Pets, and Livestock Expo happening on November 28–29, 2025 at the San Pablo City Convention Center. The Expo is expected to draw an estimated 6,000 visitors to the city—participants who are not only attending the trade fair but are also eager to explore San Pablo’s vibrant arts, heritage, and culinary experiences. The tour featured samples of three guided routes: the San Pablo Art Circuit, the Heritage Architecture Circuit, and the Culinary Circuit—with stops at Lakehouse Art Gallery & Suites, Casa San Pablo’s Native Cooking Tour and Art Gallery, the San Pablo Heritage Zone, Ben’s Halo-Halo, and the Fule-Malvar Mansion Heritage Center for Culture and Arts. These circuits will be among the official offerings for Expo guests, with additional recommendations for independent travelers. According to Ricky Tan, Head of PCCI’s Committee on Public Relations and lead organizer of the Expo, “We really enjoyed the tour. More people from San Pablo should experience these tours—it makes us proud to be from San Pablo.” Niela Medina, Head of the PCCI Tourism Committee, added, “The offerings will surely be enjoyed by our guests. The partnership with the Tourism Office gives visitors a chance to experience San Pablo beyond the trade halls.” Tourism Officer for Special Projects An Mercado Alcantara expressed her gratitude to PCCI for its strong partnership with the City Tourism Office: “This collaboration shows what can happen when government and business work hand in hand—creating opportunities for local enterprises, enriching visitor experiences, and strengthening pride of place. Together, we’re putting San Pablo on the map as a city of culture, creativity, and community.” With local hotels, cafés, and tourism establishments now preparing to host thousands of guests, the partnership between PCCI and the City Tourism Office marks a bold and forward-looking step toward positioning San Pablo as a premier destination for trade, travel, and creative tourism.      

ORIENTAL MINDORO, Philippines – Three drug personalities identified as High-Value Targets (HVTs) were arrested and dismantled a drug den in Barangay Matungao, Socorro, Oriental Mindoro, on November 5, 2025. The operation was carried out through the combined efforts of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Oriental Mindoro Provincial Office, PDEA MIMAROPA Regional Special Enforcement Team (RSET), PDEA Calapan Seaport Interdiction Unit (SUI), Socorro Municipal Police Station (MPS), Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU), and Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU). Arrested during the operation were identified as alias Jerrel, 32 years old, male, jobless; alias Marlon, 33 years old, male, jobless; and alias Joy, 33 years old, female, jobless, all are residents of Barangay Matungao, Socorro. Confiscated from the suspects were more or less eight grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard value of ₱54,400.00, along with other drug paraphernalia. The arrested individuals are facing charges for violation of Sections 5, 6, 7, 11, and 12, Article II of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. PDEA MIMAROPA, in close coordination with other law enforcement agencies and counterparts, remains steadfast in its intensified campaign against illegal drugs in line with the government’s goal of achieving a drug-cleared MIMAROPA Region.

Historic Drug Destruction Marks Largest in MIMAROPA’s History, Strengthening “Bagong Pilipinas” Anti-Drug Commitment   PALAWAN, Philippines — In a relentless efforts of unity against the threat of illegal drugs, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office 4B (MIMAROPA) destroys ₱350,944,190.52 worth of dangerous drugs in a ceremonial destruction held at the New Public Cemetery, Puerto Princesa City, the largest in the history of the MIMAROPA Region. Leading the momentous event were PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani R. Nerez and Hon. Mayor Lucilo R Bayron of Puerto Princesa City. They were joined by P/LTC Socrates Faltado from the Philippine NationalPolice (PNP), Capt Adonis P An̈asco from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Capt Oliver P Obongen (PN) from the Western Command (WESCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Col Joel Bonavente PN (M) of the Marines Operations of the Western Naval Command, Atty Teodoro Jose S Matta of the Provincial Government of Palawan, from the Department of Justice and the Judiciary represented by Executive Judge Paz Soledad Rodriguez-Cayetano, Local Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (ADACs), and other partner agencies. A total of 114,673.5221 grams of solid illegal drugs were destroyed through thermal decomposition (thermolysis)—a process that subjects the substances to extreme heat until they are completely decomposed and rendered beyond recovery. Among those destroyed were the following illegal drug recoveries: 17,324.5 grams of Kush recovered on September 30, 2025 16,971.01 grams of Kush recovered on October 8, 2025 11,245.5323 grams of Cocaine recovered on October 9, 2025 38,719.6177 grams of Cocaine recovered on October 11, 2025 417.7710 grams of Cocaine recovered on October 11, 2025 1,131.82 grams of Cocaine recovered on October 11, 2025 1,058.64 grams of Cocaine recovered on October 13, 2025 9,372.86 grams of Marijuana recovered on October 16, 2025 16,351.3 kilograms of Kush recovered on October 20, 2025 These illegal substances were recovered and turned over to PDEA MIMAROPA through the joint efforts of local fisherfolk, the WESCOM, PCG, Puerto Princesa City Police Office (PPCPO), and other law enforcement partners. The illegal drugs were found floating or washed ashore along the coastal waters of Palawan and were promptly reported to authorities for documentation, turnover, and lawful custody. All destroyed dangerous drugs were covered by court orders authorizing their destruction in accordance with Section 21 of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Nerez commended the seamless interagency cooperation and community vigilance that led to the recovery and destruction of the contraband. “This destruction underscores our strong inter-agency coordination and the invaluable support of our communities in combating the menace of illegal drugs,” said DG Nerez. “Transparency, accountability, and partnership remain at the heart of our campaign toward President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of a Bagong Pilipinas.” PDEA MIMAROPA Regional Director Maharani R. Gadaoni-Tosoc emphasized the historic significance of the event: “This is the largest destruction of dangerous drugs ever conducted in the MIMAROPA Region. It stands as proof of the vigilance of our fisherfolk, the dedication of our partner agencies, and PDEA’s strong commitment to permanently remove illegal drugs from circulation.” Usec Nerez also highlighted the critical role of unified action in ensuring success: “The success of this initiative reflects the strength of unified action. By working together, we protect not only our communities but also the integrity of our seas and borders against the illegal drug trade.” This destruction event reinforces PDEA’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and public trust. It ensures that no recovered, seized, or surrendered illegal drugs are ever recycled, reused, or returned to the streets, a clear manifestation of PDEA’s continuing mission to protect the Filipino people and uphold a drug-free Philippines.  

SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna, Philippines — The first day of the vendor zoning and clustering experiment around Sampalok Lake showed encouraging results, with two registered vendor associations actively participating in the initiative led by the City Government. Tourism Officer for Special Projects An Mercado Alcantara conducted on-site inspections joined by the City Tourism Team and Dr. Marino Garcia, Chief of the City Traffic Management Office. The visit aimed to observe how the new layout and clustering system worked in actual operation. Under the trial setup, vending areas were clearly designated, while open park zones were kept free for visitors to enjoy unobstructed views of the lake. Vendors were not allowed to occupy the road. This approach seeks to strike a balance between order and accessibility, enhancing both vendor management and visitor experience. According to Alcantara, vendors demonstrated discipline and cooperation, not only complying with the new guidelines but also offering practical suggestions to improve implementation. “The greatest achievement today is the spirit of collaboration among the Tourism Office, the City Traffic Management Office, and the vendors themselves,” Alcantara said. “It’s a small but meaningful step toward a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming lakefront for everyone — proof that when we work together, even change can feel like hope.” Important Reminder: Only vendors registered with their respective associations and approved by the Tourism Office are allowed to participate in the ongoing zoning experiment. Unregistered vendors are prohibited from selling in the parks surrounding Sampalok Lake.  

SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna, Philippines Ipinababatid ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng San Pablo na opisyal nang natapos ang rest and rehabilitation period ng Lawa ng Sampalok. Simula Oktubre 20, 2025, muli itong bukas para sa publiko upang maglakad, mag-jogging, at magpahinga sa tahimik na paligid ng lawa. Ang maingat at unti-unting muling pagbubukas na ito ay bahagi ng patuloy na pagsisikap ng lungsod na mapanatili ang kalinisan, kaligtasan, at kaayusan sa paligid ng lawa — isang itinatangi na likas at kultural na kayamanan ng San Pablo. Ang pagbubukas na ito ay isinasagawa sa maingat at dahan-dahang paraan upang mapanatili ang kalinisan, kaligtasan, at kaayusan sa paligid ng ating minamahal na lawa — isang pamana ng kalikasan at kultura ng San Pablo. (SPC-PIO)  

By Danny Estacio   PAGBILAO, Quezon – The Therma Luzon, Inc. (TLI), a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation (Aboitiz Power), and the local government formally handed over to fisher folk association a livelihood project that enables its residents to raise samaral (siganid) in floating fish cages, here, on Monday, Oct. 13. The project called Biklad sa Lambat aims to offer an alternative livelihood to coastal residents in Pagbilao Bay through the Ibabang Palsabangon Fisherfolk Association. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – National Brackish Water Fisheries Technology Center, the Fisheries Iringan Samahan sa Hanapbuhay Primary Service Cooperative, and the Pagbilao LGU will implement the project. “The LGU of Pagbilao is full of gratitude for all the assistance and help that companies like Therma Luzon are providing for our constituents,” said Pagbilao Vice Mayor Wally Dapla. “This symbiotic relationship is essential in bringing about positive changes in our communities and in the lives of the people we are serving.” “Because of this partnership, we will be able to further help our local fisherfolk communities and their families.” The program’s design promotes the active participation of fisherfolk families, including women and youth, to encourage inclusive participation. The project aims to yield environmental and economic benefits, including increased fish production and technical expertise among fisherfolk, as well as stimulating eco-tourism and enhancing the local seafood supply chain. With its protected cove, healthy water quality, and flourishing marine ecosystem supported by continuous coastal resource management initiatives, Pagbilao Bay is an ideal setting for net cage culture. “This is not only a livelihood initiative,” said AboitizPower Transition Business Group Regional Chief Operating Officer Lito Morta. “It’s about sustainability, empowerment, and our common role to help realize our primary purpose as a company: Transforming Energy for a Better World.”          

Biñan City, Laguna,Philippines — The City Government of Biñan, headed by Mayor Gel Alonte, together with Cong. Arman Dimaguila and the City Education Office, awarded ₱12,000 in grants to all teaching and non-teaching personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd) – Division of Biñan City in celebration of World Teachers’ Day on October 4 at the Alonte Sports Arena. A total of 2,234 personnel received the cash incentives. The celebration began with a zumba run, followed by a thanksgiving mass, the awarding of Bayaning Guro, and various performances showcasing the talents of educators. This activity honors the dedication, hard work, and contributions of teachers in shaping the city’s future. The grant serves as a token of appreciation for their service and commitment to provide quality education to Biñanenses.